Body found in search for missing teacher

A man’s body was found Tuesday by searchers looking for Edward Cavanaugh, a San Francisco teacher who went missing last month while dirt bike riding in El Dorado County, according to sheriff’s officials.

The body was reported at 11:20 a.m. Tuesday by a member of a search effort led by Cavanaugh’s family who spotted it near a motorcycle matching the description of his bike, according to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office.

The body has not yet been positively identified as that of Cavanaugh, though his family has been informed of the discovery.

The family, which with friends had organized an extensive search for Cavanaugh in conjunction with local officials, issued a statement through the sheriff’s office thanking the many people who have volunteered their time and donated to an online fundraiser supporting the effort.

“It truly is a testament to Ed’s extraordinary spirit and beautiful soul,” the statement read. “Ed has touched so many lives in countless ways. We hope all who love Ed find comfort in knowing that his bright spirit is with us all during this heartbreaking time.” Cavanaugh, 46, a teacher at the San Francisco Unified School District’s Downtown High School, went missing on July 17, according to school and El Dorado County sheriff’s officials.

Cavanaugh taught math and science integrated with outdoor education at the continuation high school, according to SFUSD spokeswoman Gentle Blythe.

He was preparing to return to school to teach in the fall, she said. Cavanaugh began teaching with the district in 2001 and has taught at Downtown High School for 13 years, Blythe said.

Cavanaugh was last seen riding a blue Yamaha YZ 250 on the Rock Creek trail system on his way back to a cabin he owns on Darling Ridge, according to sheriff’s officials and information that his sister, Debbie Cavanaugh Schultz, posted to her Facebook page.

A search of his cabin revealed that his truck was parked outside, the cabin was locked and the lights were still on but his dirt bike was not there, according to the page.

His camping gear was still at his cabin and according to the post, it was not typical for him to take off for a period of time without letting someone know of his whereabouts.

Although in good health, Cavanaugh was diabetic, according to family and friends.

As of this afternoon, a Fundly.com campaign had raised more than $69,000 to support the search for Cavanaugh.